Pepin of Landen

Pepin of Landen (Pepin I), d. 639?, mayor of the palace of the Frankish kingdom of Austrasia. With Arnulf, bishop of Metz, he called in King Clotaire II of Neustria to overthrow (613) Queen Brunhilda of Austrasia. Clotaire II became king of Austrasia as well as Neustria but was forced to concede much of his authority to Pepin and Arnulf. From 623 they ruled Austrasia in the name of Clotaire's son Dagobert I, whom he had designated king. After Dagobert succeeded his father (629), Pepin lost his influence and withdrew into Aquitaine. By the marriage of Pepin's daughter with Arnulf's son, Pepin and Arnulf founded the Carolingian dynasty.